This is Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel SURGE hydraulic impact driver, which I’m sure you’ve seen or heard about by now. We posted about the M12 Surge shortly after it was announced, and the M18 Surge has been on the market for a few years longer.
See Also: Milwaukee M18 Fuel SURGE Hydraulic Driver: 12 Things You Should Know
As you might know, the Surge is all about being quieter.
When is the last time you drive in a lag screw, deck screw, or other larger fastener with a cordless drill? I can’t do it anymore – well I can, but I’d really prefer not to, as impact drivers often provide a faster and easier experience and without any kickback.
Here are 5 reasons you might want to consider Milwaukee’s M12 Surge hydraulic impact driver for your fastening needs:
1. Milwaukee M12 Fuel SURGE is Quieter
As I had just mentioned, the Surge is about being quieter, and it’s something you really have to experience to understand. It still delivers an impact-like torque pulse, but without the sharp *clang clang clang* metal-on-impact sounds of a traditional impact driver.
Use this tool, and your ears will thank you.
2. M12 is a Great Complementary Platform
Every now and then I engage in an internal philosophical discussion. How do I feel about 12V class vs. 18V (and 20V Max) class cordless power tools?
These days, 18V-class tools are becoming more compact, and brands are shifting to 36V, 40V Max, 60V Max, and other higher voltage platforms to deliver far more cordless power than tools from even a couple of years ago were capable of.
Milwaukee’s M12 system is vast and diverse, and they haven’t showed any signs of slowing momentum.
I can all but convinced that anyone buying the M12 Surge either already owns another Milwaukee M12 tool, or tools, or more tools will be in their near future.
I’m of the continued stance that 12V-class tools are great complements to 18V-class tools, as least in regard to tools of overlapping type and functionality.
If you bought into a competing brand’s 18V or 20V Max class cordless power tool system, the M12 Surge and M12 system offers more non-overlapping opportunities than the M18.
3. It Gets the Job Done
In my experience, the M12 Surge doesn’t quite stand up to the performance of leading 18V-class cordless impact drivers, but it does provide enough power for most of my needs. And even when a larger tool might be faster, the M12 Surge is smaller and lighter, making it a better fit for tighter spaces or overhead tasks.
4. It’s Becoming Harder to Justify 12V-Class Impact Drivers
With 18V-class brushless impact drivers getting smaller and smaller, all the while not sacrificing power or speed, it’s hard to justify buying a 12V-class impact driver.
I typically use an 18V compact brushless model almost exclusively, and some brands’ 12V-class impacts just don’t post any competition.
I will occasionally reach for a 12V-class cordless drill, and certainly 12V-class cordless screwdrivers, but impact drivers have somewhat lost my favor.
But this – the Milwaukee M12 Fuel Surge – it offers a different experience than typical compact brushless impacts, and to me it helps it stand out a lot more.
I tend to use a compact screwdriver (or a drill) for smaller screws and light fastening tasks, and an 18V-class impact (or wrench) for heavier duty work. Where does a 12V-class impact driver fit into all this?
5. 4-Mode Drive Control
Are you still using a brushed motor impact driver?
With the Surge, as with other modern brushless impact drivers – except entry-level options of course – you get several speed and torque settings, plus a self-tapping screw mode that helps to reduce stripped or overdriven fasteners.
In my opinion, this makes the Surge a great complement to many different types of users, including those who have yet to upgrade from a brushed or earlier generation brushless impact driver.
Bonus: FREEBIE with Purchase!
At the time of this posting, Acme Tools and Tool Nut (links below) have a freebie promo offer, where you buy the M12 Fuel Surge kit and can select a free Milwaukee bare tool or battery of your choice.
To choose the free tool, add the kit to your shopping cart and then select the free tool. The offer is valid thru 7/31/20, or while supplies last.
Freebie tool selection is slim, but there are a couple of options, all decent. Personally, I’d go with the XC 6Ah battery as the freebie, with the Rover LED worklight my second choice.
Price: $149 for the bare tool, $199 for the kit
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Acme Tools
Buy Now: Bare Tool via International Tool
Buy Now: Bare Tool via Tool Nut
